Daily Gospel Reflection for May 30, 2014

Today's Gospel: John 16:20-23

“While the world rejoices, you will grieve...”  How true this is nowadays.  As a mother of three, I’ve watched as each of my children react to adverse influences around them.  From our son who watched “Friends” on television, until I realized that most of the conversations these characters had were not appropriate for a 15-year-old hormonal boy; to our two daughters, witnessing their friends as they watch and read questionable, if not outright evil material, with their parents’ permission.

There are days when I find the world just too much to bear emotionally.  I want to just stay in bed till it all passes.  How hard is it to see through the evil and wicked of the world?  Christ tells us to look to and trust in Him.

Joy is lasting, happiness is fleeting. Our joy does not come from this world, but from our heavenly father, so here we must wait, anxiously for his return.  But until then, we must rely on His help, to ask for help, our Father will be there and love us through our trials.

Recently, my husband and I attended a parents/sponsors workshop for one of our daughters who is being confirmed soon.  As an introductory activity the facilitator asked us to write down the one question we would ask Jesus when we meet him.  Here in this Gospel, Jesus himself says that at the time when we see him again, we will not need to ask him anything.  We will know everything and all our fears, worries, mourning, and weeping will disappear and no longer be necessary.  How amazing is that!?

Ponder:

Think of a time when your child asked you some profound question that had you stumped.  How did you handle it?  Did you Google it, ask a friend, or did you rely on the Holy Spirit to give you the grace to satisfy your child?  As Jesus tells us, "Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you."

Pray:

Dear Lord, let me ponder on you, let me rely on you, help me to trust in you and your amazingly loving spirit to get me through some days.  Give me the strength to get out from under the bed and know that you have everything in control!  AMEN

Copyright 2014 Ebeth Weidner